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RHS Wisley, 6 February 2012 – Part 9a

Butterflies in the Glasshouse (14 January – 26 February 2012)

Continued …

With the temptation that freshly emerged Golden Birdwings maybe flying, I managed a quick visit to my 'second home' early today and wasn’t disappointed. General flight activity was significantly less than usual and I attributed this to the reduction in glasshouse temperature (though it was still hot) and lack of any sunshine on what was a cold and overcast day. Having taken the pictures I was after, my spirits were lifted further after bumping into Susie. As we put the world to right over a coffee the sun slowly started to push through the clouds.

My time was up and I said farewell …

........and lack of any sunshine on what was a cold and overcast day.

And don't your photos look all the better for it.
No harsh shadows, no shine off leaves, and low contrast.
Lovely photographs Mark
Thanks for sharing.

Hi Roger,

Thanks for your message.

Rogerdodge wrote:Lovely photographs Mark

I'm glad you like the pictures and totally agree with your comments.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

RHS Wisley, 6 February 2012 – Part 9b

Butterflies in the Glasshouse (14 January – 26 February 2012)

Continued …

It’s a bit difficult to follow pictures of the fabulous Golden Birdwing but here goes anyway.

The best of the rest ...

Hi Mark.

Lovely photos again, i hope to see more of the same standard in the spring, when the British butterflies start to emerge, [as i`m sure you will deliver]

All the best,

Nick.

RHS Wisley, 7 February 2012 – Part 10

Butterflies in the Glasshouse (14 January – 26 February 2012)

Resplendent in all her glory.

A female Golden Birdwing dries her wings and waits ...

RHS Wisley, 7 February 2012 – Part 11

Butterflies in the Glasshouse (14 January – 26 February 2012)

Searching for sapphires.

The magnificent Blue Morpho …

RHS Wisley, 10 February 2012 – Part 12

Butterflies in the Glasshouse (14 January – 26 February 2012)

The Kallima (Leafwing) controversy …

The Leafwing or Oak Leaf butterflies are a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. They are found in India, Burma, China, Thailand, Java, Sumatra and other areas of southeast Asia. At least five species, including Kallima inachus, are found on the Indian subcontinent. There are at least ten different species (subject to taxonomic interpretation) and a number of subspecies. Their common name refers to the dead leaf like appearance of the ventral surface of their wings. Further to a number of queries on the UKB forum regarding the correct identification of the Kallima species currently flying at Wisley, I decided to investigate further. During a recent visit to Oxford I examined and requested photographs of the collection in order to provide some clarity. A literature search was also undertaken. Though undoubtedly a little difficult, I personally feel that the following descriptions and images clearly show the differences between these two species.

The following descriptions of inachis and paralekta are by Frederic Moore, F.Z.S. in Descriptions of the species of the Lepidopterous genus Kallima. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, 1879 (1) : 9-15.

Kallima inachus

A large, dark, bright violet-blue, prominently-marked species; the forewing with broad fulvous band extending to the outer margin; the outer borders of the hindwing paler and prominently marked with short brown strigae. Forewing with a short apical point in male and a very prolonged one in female; discal hyaline spot larger than in the other species. Underside ochreous-brown, vinous tinted, minutely brown speckled; rib line indistinct.
Kallima paralekta

Male. Forewing with an oblique uniformly narrow fulvous band, its inner border terminating at posterior angle; basal area and hindwing deep blue. Female, with bluish-purple white band, basal area and hindwing dark rufous-brown; discal hyaline spot in both sexes small and oval.
Images copyright OUMNH, photographed by Katherine Child.

RHS Wisley, 10 February 2012 – Part 13

Butterflies in the Glasshouse (14 January – 26 February 2012)

Continued ...

The beautiful Scarlet Swallowtail ...

Chanctonbury Ring, 12 February 2012

It’s only a 40-minute walk …

The need for fresh air and exercise took me to Chanctonbury Ring in West Sussex early this afternoon. My son, having recently completed a Duke of Edinburgh hike in the area, recommended the route (only 40 minutes he said!). I should have known better …

The steep track leading through the woodland to the top was ice-covered and very slippery. Snow covered much of the summit. Visibility was poor. A stand of blackthorn just before the main entrance to the ring looked worthy of investigation, as indeed did a good sized south facing block near to the beginning of our decent. However, the cold wind and diminishing light kept us walking leaving closer inspection for another day.

In all fairness you probably could have got round in 40 minutes, if you had been on a mountain bike or ran! An hour and a half later and with much reduced visibility the end of a chilly but very pleasant walk was reached …

I must check that blackthorn …

Goodness, that looks bleak! It can be a spooky place at the best of times.

I like Chanctonbury Ring alot. I last was going to go up there a few weeks back but I judged the path too slippery to risk on my own about a third of the way up and turned back. You're braver than me to tackle it in the snow and ice.

Agreed, that is a great shot Mark!

Dear Susie and Colin,

Thank you for your comments.

Susie wrote:Goodness, that looks bleak! It can be a spooky place at the best of times.

In all fairness Susie it wasn't quite that bleak (its amazing what the sepia function can do) but I can see what you mean about it possibly being a little spooky at times.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

RHS Wisley, 13 February 2012 – Part 14

Butterflies in the Glasshouse (14 January – 26 February 2012)

Continued …

The Malachite …

Stunning photo!

RHS Wisley, 13 February 2012 – Part 15

Butterflies in the Glasshouse (14 January – 26 February 2012)

Continued …

The Common Mormon …

We had dozens and dozens of Malachites roosting in the mango trees outside our shack in Nicaragua a couple of years ago. The first time I'd witnessed mud-puddling too, although that was of different species. Absolutely stunning, what with Morphos flying along the dry riverbeds and beautiful, big skippers buzzing through the grasslands. Glorious times, we were mostly birdwatching, but it's impossible not to notice the butterflies. And the ants...but that's a different story...

Gibster.

Hi Seth,

Thank you for your message.

You paint a fabulous picture. It must have been a wonderful experience. Although I’ve worked in western Africa and travelled throughout India and parts of America on several occasions, I’ve never visited South America. My son and I are keen to go and we’ve made a promise to visit after he completes his schooling and exams. Costa Rica is on top of our list at present. Although I’ve thoroughly enjoyed seeing and photographing the butterflies at Wisley, to encounter them in their natural environment would be a truly great experience.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Heyshott Escarpment, 15 February 2012

Feeling the strain …

It’s been just over four weeks since my last work party attendance at Heyshott Escarpment. A bout of man flu for two weeks (obviously seriously ill) followed by work party cancellations due to unfavourable weather conditions, meant today was hard going though rewarding.

Colin Knight, Carol Mortimer, Tom Parker and my son James Colvin flying the flag for Butterfly Conservation, and three members of the Murray Downland Trust joined me for a serious session of bramble clearance involving sweat, determination and hard work. After a slow start, at least by me, we continued to make good progress and were rewarded with a beautiful day of blue sky and golden winter sunshine.

It’s great to be back …

Mark Colvin wrote:Colin Knight, Carol Mortimer, Tom Parker and my son James Colvin flying the flag for Butterfly Conservation, and three members of the Murray Downland Trust joined me for a serious session of bramble clearance

Mark, that man-flu obviously took a heavy toll on you...either you've shrunk to about 3 inches in height or that is some seriously BIG bramble you're sawing your way through!!!


(PS - Remember those safety rules - it's skin to bow saw, not glove to bow saw)